Outlet box, switch box, and the like



June 1, 1943. E, A, LEFEBR E 2,320,621

OUTLET BOX, SWITCH BOX, AND THE LIKE Filed July 12, 1941 Patented June 1, 1943 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE OUTLET BOX, SWITCH BOX, AND THE LIKE Edward A. Lefebl'e, Jamaica, N. Y.

Application July 12, 1941, Serial No. 402,131

7 Claims. (01. 220-39) The invention here disclosed relates to boxes in the nature of outlet and switch boxes.

Special objects of the invention are to provide boxes of the character stated, so constructed that they be nested in closely compacted relation for packing and shipping purposes; to provide brackets for mounting the boxes on studding or other supports and which brackets will be separate and unattached but may be instantly and rigidly connected with the boxes at the time of mounting; and to provide covers which can be quickly and securely connected with the boxes and which will operate to positively lock the boxes and mounting brackets in rigidly connected relation and further to provide a cover structure which will be readily adjusted for leveling.

Other desirabe objects will appear as the specification proceeds.

The novel features by which the purposes of the invention are attained are hereinafter set forth in detail and broadly covered in the claims.

The drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrates one of the practical commercial embodiments of the invention. Structure however may be modified and changed all within the true intent of the invention as. will be apparent from the scope of the claims.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an outlet or switch box incorporating features of the invention, the cover partly broken away to show details of the interlock between the box body and supporting bracket.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with portions appearing in section as on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view as on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the box body appearing as viewing one corner of the same.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting I bracket.

Fig. 6 is a plan of the box blank, on a reduced scale.

The body of the box is shown as made up of a back wall I, and side walls 8, 9, l0, II, the latter integrally connected with the back wall and bent up in inclined relation to enable the nesting of one box within the other, substantially as indicated in Fig. 4.

The side walls are shown secured in such inclined relation by lugs I2, l2, projecting from the ends, at the outer edges of side walls 8 and ll, bent over the outer end edge portions of side side walls 8 and I0, bent around the ends of the walls 9 and H, directly beneath the lugs H2.

The corner securing lugs l2, l2 and l3, l3, may be secured in the relation shown by welding, brazing, or the like.

The box body so constructed is light but strong and may have any desired number or arrangement of knockouts and other usual features, such. as represented at M.

The box is mounted on the studding or other supports by a special bracket, shown in Fig, 5,

as having a brace or base portion IE, to lieagainst the inside face of an inclined side wall and an angled arm portion Hi, to project out over the rim of the box in substantial parallelism with the back wall I, Fig. 2. v

The inclined brace portion l5, of the bracket is shown as having widely spaced projecting, angled lugs l1, II, at the inner end of the same to project through openings l8, I8, in the back wall, adjoining the foot of the side wall and to hook over into engagement with the outer face of the back wall, as in Fig. 2.

To lock the mounting bracket in the engaged position shown in Fig. 2, the edge of the box wall is provided with a projecting lug l9, to extend through an opening 20, in the overstanding portion of the supporting arm and the latter is shown as having an integrally connected spring tongue 2|, projecting toward said opening in position to snap over and in back of said lug, as in Fig. 1.

To cause the supporting arm to project flush from the edge of the open side of the box, the

edge of the side wall 8, may be recessed at 22, 22,

simply passing the lugs i I, ll, down through the openings l8, It, in the back wall and then rocking the bracket bodily on these hook lugs as the pivot center, until the end of the spring tongue 2|, snaps over and behind the locking lug 69, At such time, the brace portion I5, will lie flat against the inside face of the side wall body and by means of which the box may be fastened .up in any desired relation "as by nails,

screws, or the like, driven through openings 23, in the bracketarm. 1

walls 8 and I0, and lugs l3, l3, on the ends of If necessary, the bracket' may be released and detached trom the boxbody by bending the tip '31 the spring tongue 2|, upward or outward away from behind the locking lug l9, after which the bracket may be rocked inwardly about the hook lugs l1, H, .as a center until the latter can be withdrawn from the openings l8, I8.

- The box cover illustrated at 24, may be of any usual or special design and it serves when secured in place over the box body as inFigs. 1. 2 and 3, to prevent release of the locking tongue 2|, and thus to positively lock the box body and bracket together. v

- To enable quick attachment and levelling adjustment oi the box cover, the latter is shown as having an inwardly oflset lug'2l, at one edg engageable in said opening, a brace portion to lie against said side wall and an angularly projecting supporting arm, the latter projecting out over said outer edge of said side walj and having an opening to pass said lug and a spring tongue projecting inwardly from the outer end of said to be hooked into engagement in a slot 26, in a side wall and at the opposite edge with a lug 21, to engage over a screw lug 28,.at the opposite side wall of the box and formed with a keyhole turned arotmd to a position at right angles to.

that shown in Fig. 1, it that be desired.

Notches 32, are shown provided in the edges of side walls 9 and ii, to receive the lugs i3, 01

the side walls 8, iii, to lock the corners more securely.

What is claimed is: 1. A box oi the character disclosed having connected back and side walls and an opening through said back'wall adjoining the side wall and a bracket for mounting said box, including a hooked end portion extendible through said opening. a brace portion to lie against the inside face of the adjoining side wall, an outwardly angled supporting arm projecting outwardly over the rim of said sidewall and means for rigidly securing said supporting arm portion of the bracket to said side wall, including an upwardly projecting lug on the rim of said side wall, the supporting arm having an opening to pass said lug and a spring tongue at the edge of said opening to snap over and into locking engagement with said lug.

2. Abox oi the character disclosed having connected back and side walls and an opening through said back wall adjoining the side wall and a bracket for mounting said box, including a hooked end portion extendible through said opening, a brace portion to lie against the inside face oi the adjoining side wall and an outwardly angled supporting arm, said hooked end portion being in two spaced branches and having angled terminals projecting away from the brace portion to engage over the outer face 0! the back wall, an upwardly projecting lug on the rim of said side wall, the outwardly angled arm of the racket having an opening to pass said lug and a spring tongue on said supporting arm positioned for locking engagement with said lug, said spaced branches being disposed at the edge portions of said-bracket and said spring lockingitongue being disposed at an intermediate portion of said bracket.

3. A box having connected back and side walls said backwall having an opening adjoining said side wall and said side wall having an upwardly extending lug on the outer edge of the same and supporting arm and having the inner free end or the same positioned to snap into locking engagement with said 1118.

4. A box body having a back wall provided with an opening therethrough andan outwardly in-.

clined side wall provided with notches in the edge of the same and a projecting lug between said notches, a mounting bracket having a projecting lug extending through said opening in the back wall and a projecting arm seated in said notches and having an opening for said lug and a spring tongue on said arm engaged in back of said outwardly inclined projecting lug.

5. A box of the character disclosed, having -connected back and side walls, said back wall' having an opening therethrough adjacent the side wall and the side wall having an opening near the outer edge and an upwardly projectirm lug on the outer edge and a mounting-bracket having a brace portion with a lug at the inner end of the same to extend through the opening in the back wall and an opening to register with the opening in the side wall, said bracket having a supporting arm projecting angularly from said brace portion over said outer edge 01 said side wall and providedwith an opening therethrough to receive said projecting lug on the side wall andta locking tongue on said bracket positioned to snap into locking engagement with said projecting lug and a cover having a lug for hooked engagement in said aligned openings in the brace portion of the bracket and side wall.

6. A box of the the character disclosed, having connected back and side walls'and a mounting bracket having a brace portion to enter the box body and lie against a side wall of the same, the

to admit said lug and a spring tongue on said.

supporting arm positioned to snap into locking engagement with said lug.

7. A box of the character disclosed, having connected back and side walls and a mounting bracket having a brace portion to enter the box body and lie against a side wall of the same, the

inner end of said brace portion and the back wall having elements cooperating to secure said brace portion to said back wall, said bracket having a supporting arm projecting angularly from saidbrace portion over the outer edge of said sidewall, said side wall having an upwardly projecting lug and said supporting arm having an opening to admit said lug, a spring tongue on said supportingarm positioned to snap into locking engagement with said 1118, said lug being outwardly in.-

clined with respect to said back wall and said spring tongue extending inwardly from the outer end of said supporting arm and with the inner free end oi. the same located to snap inwardly behind said outwardly inclined lug.

EDWARD a manna. 

